ARMY ESTIMATES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1694, 10 March 1906, Page 3

ARMY ESTIMATES.

A DISILLUSIONISED MINISTER

TALK OF RETRENCHMENT FALLS FLAT.

By telegraph, Press Ass'n, Copyright Received 12.9 a.m., March 10 London, Maroh 9. In tho Honso of Commons Me Haldane explaining the Government's military polioy, admitted that the army was never more efficient. It was impossible to make economies bsyoad £17,000 without impairing the fighting effioioncy. He did not intend to abolish any Home battalions. Beiieviag the navy able to defend our shores he intended to abolish the out-of-date Loudon defences and useiess coastal forts, reduoe colonial garrisons, and disband the native regiment at Wai-hai wei. The size of the mobile striking force in tho oversea service must depend largely upon the requirements of India. It was impossible to reduco the striking foroe unless a system existed enabling rapid expansion in lime of need. He hoped to eee more men voluntarily learn the elements of training, holding that volunteers cade! oorps and rifle clubs ought to enoonrage the mauhoood of the oouatry, end ought to be a skeleton organisation capable of being olotbed in flash in war time. The militia needed improvement. By the'end _of May two army oorps would be armed new field guns. Great progress had fjeen made in arming troops with the short 1 rifle.'' TbC press is complimentary to Mr Haldane.